Washington @ Cowboys: Fantasy Football Preview

This week we’re turning away from the norm a little bit and bringing in a friend to take part in this week’s Fantasy Football Q&A. My buddy, Matt Glen, knows his fantasy football business and has been playing the game for five years.

I witnessed his abilities as a fantasy football manager when he wheeled and dealed his way to a perfect 16-0 record in our 14-team dynasty league last year. In years past, this league was always a redraft and in the five years I’ve been playing in it, I don’t think there has been a repeat champion.

With that, Matt is going to offer some of his outsider insight into the Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins game on Thanksgiving.

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And remember, you can follow me on Twitter @john9williams for all of your fantasy football and Cowboys focused needs.

John (Inside The Star):Thanks for taking the time, Matt, to join us at The Star and for offering some of your fantasy insight into this week’s Dallas Cowboys match-up.

Q: Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, and Jamison Crowder have all had some big games for Washington this season. This week, who do you like against the Dallas Cowboys and who do you like for the rest of the year?

Matt: Jordan Reed. Dallas has been extraordinarily good at limiting #1 wide receiver options in 2016 (Antonio Brown being the only WR who went for more than 100 yards receiving against Dallas this year). Because of their ability to shut down or limit the opposing team’s number one option, one would think they’d focus their attention on tight end Jordan Reed.

Jamison Crowder would be the second guy I would look to. He has been really good in the slot for Washington and has gone over 100 yards receiving in three of his last four games. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is a guy who still needs to dump it off short unless he’s playing a Swiss cheese-like defense, like the Green Bay Packers these days. The Cousins deep-ball is largely a mirage.

DeSean Jackson is always a threat to break one for a big gain if he can get past the secondary.

In this game, don’t forget about Chris Thompson. He’s a quick back, like Lance Dunbar and Darren Sproles, who can make some plays out of the backfield in the passing game.

In a dynasty league, I would trade all Washington assets. I don’t think they can sustain this kind of production.

John (Inside The Star): Yeah, I’m not as big a believer in Kirk Cousins as some are. There is a reason that Scot McCullough and the Washington front office were reluctant to give him a long-term deal.

Q: Turning to the running game, Rob Kelley has broken out in a big way in the last three weeks, with the absence of Matt Jones. What do you think has been the key to his success?

Matt: The thing that has led to Rob Kelley’s breakout over the last few games has been opportunity.

When Matt Jones went down with the injury, Kelley began to shoulder the load and has seen 20+ carries each of the last three games. He’s done well shouldering the running back burden, averaging 4.79 yards per carry over the last three games.

The key to his success has been his run-hard ability. Like Devonta Freeman last year and Jay Ajayi this year, it may not always be flashy, but hard-nosed running is a trait that leads to more opportunities and success.

John (Inside The Star): Kelley seems to be playing the role of Alfred Morris for Washington in 2016. An undrafted free agent running back who made some noise in the preseason and earned himself a regular role during the regular season. Sounds a lot like the Dallas Cowboys backup runner, Morris.

Q: If you had to choose an MVP for the Dallas Cowboys, to this point, who would it be and why?

Matt: It would have to be whoever convinced Jerry Jones to take Zack Martin instead of Johnny Football (Manziel).

Really, though, if I had a vote, I would give it to the offensive line. Ezekiel Elliott has been great, but the offensive line has been the difference maker for the Dallas Cowboys. The offensive line makes Ezekiel Elliott, not the other way around.

John (Inside The Star): I don’t disagree that the offensive line has been huge for the Dallas Cowboys, but have to stop you in thinking that Ezekiel Elliott has been a zero-factor. That would be like saying DeMarco Murray was a product of the offensive line, but look what he is doing in Tennessee. It takes both to do what Ezekiel Elliott is doing this year.

Q: Dak Prescott is now the unquestioned starter in Dallas and has put up QB 1 numbers several weeks this year. True or False: Dak Prescott is a must-start in the Fantasy Football world for the rest of 2016.

Matt: True. 1,000,000% true. The only way you aren’t starting Dak Prescott every week in fantasy football is if you have a quarterback like Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, or Drew Brees on your roster as well.

John (Inside The Star): If you were redrafting the running backs starting today, how would you rank the top guys; Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson, Ezekiel Elliott, DeMarco Murray, LeSean McCoy, LeGarrette Blount, and Melvin Gordon?

Matt: Here is how I’d rank them in Dynasty and Redraft leagues.

[table id=107 /]

I’d look to sell LeGarrette Blount. With Dion Lewis and James White there, and the New England Patriots’ propensity to throw the ball, he isn’t nearly as valuable as those other guys.

John (Inside The Star):Thanks again Matt and good luck in your Fantasy Football match-ups this week.